04 Aug 2011

Brazil and Argentina, in; Uruguay: out

Argentina swept neighbours Uruguay out of the World Cup race in the last match yesterday of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONMEBOL Qualifier. Although replying the first strokes by the Albiceleste in the first two periods, current runner-ups became the first big casualty for the global showpiece in the South American zone after being unable to counteract the advantage managed by the Argentineans in the third stage. When Leguizamon and Dallera made it 4-2 with just 7 minutes to go, things turned too dark for Uruguay, that, although cutting the distance through Rodríguez, saw the 5-3 rise in the score with just two minutes remaining.

Uruguay will miss the FIFA Beach Soccer for the first time in the history of the competition, so players such as Fabian, Pampero or Ricar will not be graced the chance to hit the sand again in the biggest Beach Soccer moment. On the other side, Argentina tops the table in group B, so they will not need to face the winner of Brazil’s group A in the decisive semifinal stage.

The second place in semifinals in this Group B went to newcomers Colombia, who beat Ecuador 9-4. Renzo Pulido’s side dominated the whole game, and despite their lack of experience they had little problems against the Ecuadorians, who were really close to ge to the World Cup in last edition.

Brazil secures semifinals and opens door to Venezuela

Brazil, in turn, kept on in their tyrant pace running over Chile and securing their place in semifinals. In a record-breaking day for the Beach kings, with Mao gaining his 150th cap, Buru scoring his 200th goal, and the team breaking the barrier of the 3000 goals in their history, Chileans were left the mute role in today’s game, at the same time losing any chance to getting to Ravenna. Three goals by Buru, two by top-scorer Bruno and André, and others by Anderson, Sidney and Daniel were too much to handle for Chile. This time, Brazil would not let their opponents caught them by surprise as they did in Copa Latina last year. The prize was too big to speculate…

This Brazil getting Chile out of the road, secured Venezuela’s going into the semifinals, as well, despite the defeat by the Vinotinto in their game against Paraguay (8-7 aet, after 6-6 in regular time). As the Paraguayan victory came in the exra time, the two points awarded were not enough to equal Venezuelan records, with six points so far, and Venezuela will even have the chance to attempt beating Brazil for the head of group A, skipping Argentina in semifinals. But this is not an easy duty…